Wet Braking Device Adapter for Construction Machinery Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing revolving apparatuses for construction machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face challenges in maintenance workability and efficient cooling of braking devices, particularly due to the complex configurations that require removal and reassembly of multiple components and reliance on lubricant oil for cooling, which is insufficient during sudden stops.

Innovation Solution

The proposed revolving apparatus features a wet braking device with a brake case and adapter system that allows for easier maintenance by isolating the braking device from the electric motor, using a lubricant oil circulation system for efficient cooling, and incorporating dust and oil seals to extend component lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the braking device is arranged between the reduction device and the revolving motor, then the braking device can be cooled by lubricant oil, but the revolving motor must be removed for maintenance of the braking device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiency of braking deviceVSAvoidmaintenance workability of braking device
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is segmented from the revolving motor through the introduction of a detachable adapter. The adapter serves as an independent connection component that allows the braking device to be separated from the motor while maintaining the drivetrain connection, enabling maintenance of the braking device without removing the motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the motor shaft and the braking device. This intermediary element enables the braking device to be detachably connected to the motor shaft, facilitating easy removal and installation of the braking device for maintenance while preserving the cooling function through lubricant oil circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the braking device is arranged between the first-stage reduction mechanism and the second-stage reduction mechanism, then the braking device can be cooled by lubricant oil, but both the revolving motor and the first-stage reduction mechanism must be removed for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiency of braking deviceVSAvoidmaintenance workability of braking device
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is segmented as an independent removable unit through the adapter mechanism. This segmentation allows the braking device to be separated from the multi-stage reduction mechanism, enabling maintenance without removing the motor or the first-stage reduction mechanism, thus significantly improving maintenance workability while preserving the lubricant oil cooling function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the braking device uses lubricant oil for cooling, then the cooling system is simplified, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient during sudden stops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system complexityVSAvoidcooling efficiency during sudden stops
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is integrated with the lubricant oil circulation system of the hydraulic excavator. By merging the braking cooling function with the existing hydraulic oil circulation system, the patent achieves efficient cooling during sudden stops using the high-flow-capability hydraulic system, while maintaining overall system simplicity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration improves maintenance workability by simplifying the assembly and disassembly of braking components and enhances cooling efficiency, prolonging the lifespan of the electric motor and braking system while reducing the need for specialized lubricants and cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

a brake piston which gives braking force to the motor shaft by using pushing force of a spring member to frictionally engage the rotating side brake disks and the non-rotating side brake disks with each other and releases braking with respect to the motor shaft against the spring member based on supply of a brake release pressure from the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a lubricant oil supplied into the brake case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a dust seal which captures foreign particles mixed in the lubricant oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

an oil seal which is placed below the bearing and seals the lubricant oil with respect to the electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP2540916B1Swing device for construction machinery
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP2540916B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2540916B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540916B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric motor (21) is arranged on a reduction device (12), and a wet braking device (30) which gives braking force to a motor shaft (25) is arranged on an upper end side of the electric motor (21). The wet braking device (30) comprises: a brake case (31) which accommodates an upper end portion of the motor shaft (25); an adapter (36) which is detachably disposed to the motor shaft (25) in the brake case (31); a plurality of rotating side brake disks (39) and a plurality of non-rotating side brake disks (40) arranged on an outer peripheral side of the adapter (36); and a brake piston (41) which gives braking force to the motor shaft (25) by frictionally engaging the rotating side brake disks (39) and the non-rotating side brake disks (40) with each other. As a result, at the time of performing a maintenance operation for the wet braking device (30), the wet braking device (30) alone can be solely removed while keeping the electric motor (21) assembled to the reduction device (12).